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Gaim: United We Stand
by
JellyBean Productions
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Chapter I
A Gift From Yggdrasil
(Drupers Fruit Bar, January 2014)
Slamming open the door, Ryoji Hase sprinted inside, coming to halt inside the back room usually occupied by the Lock Dealer.
"Looking for me?" asked Sid, sitting on a stool at the bar, legs crossed.
Spinning around, Hase glared at Sid, "I need a new belt, the White Armoured Rider destroyed mine."
Reaching into his pocket, Hase pulled out his damaged Sengoku Driver and placed it in front of Sid. Picking it up, the Lock Dealer traced the crack along the front.
"You're correct, Ryoji, this Sengoku Driver cannot be repaired," spoke Sid, putting the belt down, "However, I do have a prototype Genesis Driver you could use."
"I'll take it," responded Hase quickly.
"Glad to hear," grinned Sid, pulled a glass case out of his suitcase and handed it to Hase, "Twice the output of the Sengoku Driver."
Opening the case, Hase strapped the prototype Genesis Driver around his waist, a silver belt appearing. It resembled a Sengoku Driver with a second slot for a Lockseed instead of a Rider Indicator.
"I call it the Edo Driver," added Sid, sipping his coffee.
"What's this?" questioned Hase, pulling on the second slot, trying and failing to remove it.
"A Genesis Core, the Professor added to test the functionality of the Energy Lockseeds," explained Sid, placing four Lockseeds on the counter in front of him.
"Energy Lockseeds?" grunted Hase.
"One of these," replied Sid, picking up one of the devices in front of him, "This is a Lemon Energy Lockseed, unlike the regular variety they are artificially created to provide Yggdrasil's Riders the power to stop the Helheim Invasion."
"Helheim? Invasion? What are you talking about?" demanded Hase, looking at Sid.
"Go to Charmant, there is a man there, Takatora Kureshima, with the right persuasion he will tell you what you want to know," answered Sid, "In the meantime you can have these four Lockseeds and the Driver for free, consider them a gift from Yggdrasil."
Regarding Sid warily, Hase picked up the Lockseeds. The first had the code 'FRESH-05' and resembled a Pine Lockseed, with the silver around the edge changed to gold. The second had the code 'PROTO-10' and was a Mango Lockseed repainted to look like a watermelon.
The next was the Lemon Energy Lockseed that Sid had shown him and the final was a electric blue and silver Lockseed shaped like an apple, 'LS-SILVER' printed on the front.
"I sure as hell know you ain't giving me these outta the goodness of your heart," spoke Hase, "But for now I'm gonna play your game."
With that, Hase sprinted away, just as fast as he entered. Grinning, Sid plucked a Dragonfruit off Bando's display. Clutching it in his hand, his smile widened when the fruit transformed into a Dragon Energy Lockseed.
"Sid, you here?" asked Bando, walking out from the back looking around, seeing no one, "I swear I heard Ryoji talking to him, did you see him, Iyo?"
From the station, Iyo looked up from her phone, "I'm going on my break now."
"Why do I continue to employ you?" muttered Bando, switching to a smile when he saw Rat and Rica enter.
-United We Stand-
(Charmant Patisserie)
Standing up and turning to leave the establishment, Takatora Kureshima froze at the sight of Hase glaring at him, blocking his path. Sighing, Takatora gestured to the second seat and sat back down, Hase sitting opposite.
"I want to know everything, about the forest, about the Inves, about Yggdrasil," demanded Hase, "Or I'll let the world know about the Helheim Invasion."
"No-one would believe you," replied Takatora.
"Fine, you tell me what I want to know and I'll tell you how I got this," grinned Hase, pulling out his Edo Driver.
"The prototype Genesis Driver," muttered Takatora, shocked, "I guess I'll tell you then."
-United We Stand-
(South Stage, Zawame City)
"Cowards, you're all talk!" sneered Kaito as his three Inves marched forwards, his armoured hand clutching his Lockseeds, one of which he had taken from Hase only hours earlier.
"Excellent!" exclaimed Oren, stepping between the civilians and the Inves, "You play the villain so convincingly, Monsieur Banane!"
"Bastard!" hissed Kaito, gripping his Lockseeds even tighter.
"I am Oren Pierre Alfonzo," spoke the mercenary, drawing his Durian Lockseed, "And on this stage, I play the hero!"
[DURIAN!]
Carefully slotting his Lockseed into his Sengoku Driver, Oren pushed the Lock Arm down and quickly sliced down the knife, opening the Lockseed. Raising his arms, Oren grinned as the Armour Part dropped onto his shoulders, his suit and helmet materialising as it unfolded.
[C'MON - DURIAN ARMS! MR. DANGEROUS!]
"Armoured Rider Bravo!" proclaimed Oren, swinging his spiked swords.
"What are you doing here?" grunted Kaito, glaring at the other Rider.
"Isn't it obvious?" replied Oren smugly, "I'm protecting these innocent civilians from nefarious villains like yourself!"
"Idiot," grunted Kaito as the other Rider charged forward, engaging the summoned Inves with glee. Slashing one across the chest with his swords, Oren moved into the next as it exploded in a ball of flames.
"He's fighting the Inves!" called a woman from the crowd.
"He's fighting for us!" added a man.
Finishing off another of the Inves, Oren prepared to finished the last one when Kaito attacked, kicking him back. Regaining his balance, Oren locked his swords with Kaito's spear, the two fighting for dominance, both equally matched.
As the crowd began to cheer Oren on, Kaito let his arm go slack, allowing the older man to win the duel, however Kaito quickly took advantage of this, slashing Oren across the chest with his Banaspear.
Falling backwards, one of Oren's sword went flying from his grip, hitting a speaker and causing it to tumble. Seconds before the speaker was about to fall on Peco, Hase appeared and tackled him out of the way.
Rolling back to his feet, Hase pulled out his new Driver and strapped it to his waist, "It's time for round two, Kaito Kumon!"
"Ah yes, I forgot to mention, this is my sidekick," announced Oren, climbing back to his feet.
"I'm nobody's sidekick, Alfonzo!" snapped Hase, holding up his Silver Lockseed, "We work towards the same goal, Lockseeds are not toys to be played with, the Inves Games must end, for the sake of the world!"
"Even with a new belt you won't be able to defeat me!" sneered Kaito.
"We'll just have to see then!" responded Hase, "HENSHIN!"
[SILVER!]
Slamming his Lockseed into his Edo Driver, Hase pushed the Lock Arm down and sliced it open. Kicking away the last Inves, Hase braced himself as his new Armour Part dropped into his shoulders, his helmet and suit appearing as it unfolded.
[SOIYA - SILVER ARMS! HAKUGIN NEW STAGE!]
Transforming into his new Rider Form, Hase was equipped with a large staff, painted black and blue, called the Souginjou. His undersuit was similar to Zangetsu-Shin's, the gold coloured electric blue and the white changed to silver. His helmet was also different, resembling Gaim's but with a large silver crown. Like Gaim, Hase had a Lockseed Holder and Musoh Saber strapped to his waist.
"I guess since I got a new Driver I should have a new name," spoke Hase, swinging his staff around, "I am Armoured Rider Silver!"
"Silver? What a boring name, how about Kamuro?" offered Oren, joining Hase and retrieving his lost sword.
"KAMURO! KAMURO! KAMURO!" chanted the crowd, making Hase sag his shoulders in defeat.
"I guess I deserve that for giving Jonouchi a lame name," muttered Hase, straightening up, ready to fight.
Charging forwards, Hase began to slice the remaining Inves with his staff, finishing it with one last slash. As soon as the flames cleared, the three Lockseeds shot from Kaito's hands, the two Donguri going to Bravo and the Matsubokkuri going to Hase.
"You may have taken those weak Lockseeds, but this stage belongs to Team Baron!" spat Kaito, pulling out his Mango Lockseed, "Hase, prove your strength to me and the stage is yours."
[MANGO!]
"You're on!" returned Hase, banging his fists together.
[C'MON - MANGO ARMS! FIGHT OF THE HAMMER!]
Transforming into his secondary form, Kaito launched himself at Hase, who blocked his hammer with his staff and kicked him away. Ducking under the swinging weapon, Hase tried to score a hit but was hit in the chest with the second swing of the hammer, knocking his Souginjou out his hands.
Drawing his Musoh Saber, Hase slashed at Kaito, who blocked it with the handle of his Mango Punisher. Pulling back the tab, Hase fired five shots at his opponent, but to no effect.
"Boy!" shouted Oren, "You need a harder hitting weapon to beat him!"
"Got it!" grunted Hase, launching himself backwards and drawing his gold Pine Lockseed.
[FRESH PINE!]
"Fresh?" muttered Hase as he slammed his Lockseed into his Driver and slicing it open.
Running at Kaito, Hase's new set of Arms, identical to Pine except wielding two Pine Irons, formed around him. Swinging one of his Irons, he wrapped it around Kaito's Mango Punisher and yanked, pulling from the other Rider's hands.
[SOIYA - FRESH PINE ARMS! FUNSAI DESTROY!]
Following up with his other Iron, Hase sent Kaito flying backwards, off the to his feet, the leader of Team Baron grabbed his discarded weapon and sliced his Cutting Knife down three times, Hase copying him.
[MANGO SPARKING!]
[FRESH PINE SPARKING!]
Charging up his Mango Punisher, Kaito send a large projection of its head flying at Hase, only for the other Rider to begin to spin wildly, his Pine Irons forming a whirlwind of golden energy.
Soaring at Kaito, Hase slammed into him, knocking him back, his suit fading as he hit the ground. Landing carefully on his feet, Hase closed his Lockseed, his armour vanishing as he walked towards Kaito.
"You lose, Kaito," spoke Hase, offering the other Rider a hand up.
"I underestimated your strength," replied Kaito, pushing away Hase's hand and standing up, "I'm glad I let you win."
Handing Hase his Mango Lockseed and the Stage Pass, Kaito allowed a small smile to slip onto his face.
"You let me win?" questioned Hase, raising an eyebrow, "But you lost your Lockseed?"
"A calculated loss," returned Kaito, reaching into his pocket and pulling out seven more Lockseeds, two Mango, two Pine, a Melon, an Ichigo and a Kiwi, "I always keep backup."
"Not bad, Kumon," complimented Hase with a grin.
"Likewise, Ryoji," replied Kaito, returning his Lockseeds to his jacket and sauntering away, his team running after him.
Turning to face the crowd, Hase spoke, "This stage now belongs to Team Charmant, free for anyone who wants to dance to use. Those who attempt to play Inves Games here will be punished!"
Ending his announcement, Hase walked over to Oren, who had likewise powered down. Behind him the crowd surged, cheering and calling their Rider Names as well as Charmant.
"I thought some good publicity wouldn't go amiss," grunted Hase.
"Not bad, Boy," complimented Oren, "Say, when's your birthday?"
"May 15th, why?" responded Hase, confused.
"Hm, Taurus, not so bad, something to work with," mused Oren, before looking up at Hase, "How would you like a job at Charmant?"
-United We Stand-
So, this a point of divergence story, based around the idea that Sid is a being like Sagara, but he isn't the representation of Helheim, his past is a secret for now. As for this chapter being heavily based around Hase, he is one of the main characters but it won't be as centric to him from now on, it was due to the changes caused by Sid's nature affecting him first. Thanks for reading and I look forward to posting the second chapter soon!